News Release

April 5, 2012

University celebrates academics, achievements, end of school year with Northwest Week activities April 8-15

Northwest Missouri State University will celebrate its academic year with an array of activities, performances, athletic games and recognition ceremonies highlighting student and employee achievements as part of its annual Northwest Week, April 8-15.

While a large number of the activities during the week are planned by a student-led committee, the week is a collaborative effort of University offices and departments throughout the campus as well as student organizations.

“One of the most exciting things about Northwest Week is its one of the last big events of the year, and we get to work with other groups on campus, so the whole University really has a hand in putting on these events,” said Ashley Herring, a senior public relations major from Omaha, Neb., who co-chaired the Northwest Week student planning team with Marlon Oliver, a freshman pre-law major from St. Louis.

In conjunction with the week’s activities, Northwest’s annual Celebration of Quality Student Symposium will highlight students’ academic endeavors. The symposium, beginning at 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, and Wednesday, April 11, will consist of multiple sessions featuring students presenting papers, art, research and work in a variety of disciplines. Wednesday’s symposium will conclude with a closing reception at 7:15 p.m. in the J.W. Jones Student Union Ballroom.

The University kicks off Northwest Week, with this year’s theme of “Bobby Travels America,” by giving away free T-shirts Monday, April 9, in the Student Union. Later in the day, Northwest will host its annual Awards & Recognition Ceremony to honor students, employees and organizations for their accomplishments in areas of leadership, research and employment.

One of the week’s highlights includes an outdoor picnic and hot air balloon rides from 5 to 7 p.m. at the intramural fields on campus; picnic food will be provided and tethered balloon rides will be offered. Other student-centered events include the popular Student Senate-sponsored “Cash Cab” and a movie night.

Other events during the week include performances by break-dancing group BreakSk8, the Northwest Symphony Orchestra, the Jazz and Studio Jazz Ensembles, and the Tower Choir and University Chorale. Theatre Northwest presents “Fuddy Meers” Wednesday through Sunday in the Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts’ Studio Theatre, and the Flying Karamazov Brothers perform Thursday, April 12, capping the University’s 2011-2012 Encore performance series.

Athletics contests during the week include Bearcat softball games against Drury, Washburn and Fort Hays State. During the softball team’s Saturday, April 14, doubleheader, which begins at noon, fans may join the Bearcat Zone at the softball field parking lot for tailgating, inflatable games and other activities. Then, the Northwest football team plays its annual spring scrimmage at 5 p.m. at Bearcat Stadium.

A complete list of Northwest Week events appears below and on the University’s online calendar. Tickets prices are included where applicable; all other events are free.

For more information contact the Office of Campus Activities at 660.562.1226.

All week

Juried Northwest Art Student Exhibit (DeLuce Art Gallery, continues through April 20): The exhibit opens at 7 p.m. Monday, April 9, with a lecture in the Charles Johnson Theater. The competitively juried exhibition features the work of Northwest studio art undergraduate students. Works include ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, printmaking, photography, graphic design and illustration, fiber arts, painting and drawing.

National Student Employment Week: Departments across campus will celebrate their student employees. Events vary by department.

Tuesday, April 10, and Wednesday, April 11

Cash Cab (11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Student Union): Student Senate members will pick up students and transport them to a campus destination of their choice – but only if they can answer a series of Northwest or United States trivia questions. Answer a question incorrectly, and the student must walk. Students will receive candy for participating and winners will receive gift cards.

Celebration of Quality Student Symposium (3 to 8 p.m., Student Union): Students will present papers, art, research and work in a variety of disciplines as part of the University’s annual symposium to showcase exceptional student work throughout campus. Sponsored by The Society of President's Scholars and the Honors Program.

Wednesday, April 11, through Sunday, April 15

“Fuddy Meers” (7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Ron Houston Center, Studio Theatre; tickets are $8): The play, presented by Theatre Northwest, depicts Claire, an amnesiac who awakens each morning not knowing anything about who or where she is. When she is kidnapped by one husband and pursued by another, she goes on a journey full of characters right out of a fun-house mirror. There's the too-good-to-be-true husband; a lisping, limping stranger; Claire’s rebellious teenage son; a ventriloquist with his potty-mouthed puppet; and Claire's mother‚ who speaks in gibberish only she can understand. Welcome to the delightfully dark and distorted world of “Fuddy Meers,” a quirky farce where laughs abound as secrets are revealed.

Movie: “The Myth” (noon, Student Union Living Room): Jackie Chan stars as a world-renowned archaeologist who discovers a past life as a warrior in ancient China. A discussion will follow the showing of the film. Sponsored by Office of Intercultural Affairs in conjunction with Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

BreakSk8 (7 p.m., Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts): Break-dancing group BreakSk8 will perform at 7 p.m. in the Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are free and available at the Student Services Center in the Administration Building. The Kokomo, Ind., based dancers have appeared at NBA, NCAA and WNBA basketball halftime shows, in addition to colleges across the country. The group also appeared in the film “Roll Bounce” and on MTV's “America's Best Dance Crew.” Sponsored by Student Activities Council.

Light Up the Night (9 p.m., Colden Pond): The Northwest Up ‘til Dawn chapter invites the Northwest and Maryville communities for a celebration of its successful fundraising campaign. The event includes a candle-light walk from Colden Pond to the Bell Tower, remarks by members of the St. Jude Children's Hospital community and totals for the chapter’s fundraising campaign will be announced.

Tuesday, April 10

Outdoor picnic and hot air balloon rides (5 to 7 p.m., intramural fields): Bring your blankets, chairs and outdoor games for a picnic. Campus Dining will provide hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks. A tethered hot air balloon will transport riders 150 feet upward for a unique view of the Northwest campus. Sponsored by Student Activities Council, Campus Dining, U.S. Bank.

Symphony Orchestra concert (8 p.m., Charles Johnson Theater): The concert will feature Dr. Ernest Kramer, Northwest professor of piano and harpsichord, on the University’s Richard Kingston late Flemish, two-manual harpsichord, a Baroque-era replica. Student Concertmaster Alysa Kramer, a senior vocal music education/voice major from Blue Springs, also will be featured as a soloist, performing the “Theme from Schindler’s List,” composed by John Williams. The program also will include the “Concerto No. 11 in D Major” by Franz Joseph Haydn and music from “Pirates of the Caribbean,” arranged by Ted Ricketts.

Wednesday, April 11

Movie: “Magadheera” (noon, Student Union Living Room): A bike stuntman recalls his previous life as a warrior a reincarnated princess he loved 400 years earlier. But a sinister figure from their shared past threatens to separate them forever. A discussion will follow the film showing. Sponsored by Office of Intercultural Affairs in conjunction with Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

End-of-the-Year Bash (3 to 7 p.m. Centennial Garden): Take your pick of activities that will include jousting, a dunk tank, a three-lane bungee run, pop toss, an obstacle course, foam sword fighting and carnival games. The event also will include a jewelry and bake sale. Hot dogs and soda will be served. Sponsored by South Complex Hall Council.

Encore: The Flying Karamazov Brothers(7:30 p.m., Ron Houston Center; tickets are $13-$25): The Flying Karamazov Brothers are not your father's wild-haired, juggling, flame-throwing, kilt-and-tutu-wearing performers. The audience is invited to bring objects to the theater for the Flying Karamazov Brothers to keep airborne in a challenge that ends either with a pie in the face or a standing ovation. To learn more, visit www.fkb.com/us.

SAC Late Night: Movie Night (9 p.m., Student Union Ballroom): The Student Activities Council will show back-to-back movies of “National Lampoon’s Vacation” and “Road Trip.” Seating will be available, but students are invited to bring blankets and pillows for sitting on the floor. Snacks will be provided. Sponsored by Student Activities Council.

Friday, April 13

Jet Lag Recovery (11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Java City; prices vary): Need some time to recover after flying all over the campus to participate in Northwest Week activities? Java City and Student Senate will hand out coupons for 50 percent off of a Javalanche beverage. Sponsored by Student Senate.

Asian Music Videos (1 p.m., Student Union Living Room): The campus community is invited to view and discuss a series of music videos originating from Asian countries. Sponsored by Office of Intercultural Affairs in conjunction with Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

Softball vs. Washburn (3 p.m., Bearcat Softball Field): Watch the Bearcat softball team take on one of its conference rivals.

2012 Tower King & Queen crowning(4 p.m. Bell Tower): The Tower King and Queen is selected annually from a group of Northwest students who excel academically and exhibit high involvement at Northwest and in the Maryville community. Individuals are nominated by campus organizations, and the king and queen are chosen by the student body.

Celebration of Quality Banquet (6 p.m., Student Union Ballroom; by invitation only): The banquet celebrates presenters and sponsors of the Celebration of Quality Student Symposium. Dr. Brian Hesse, associate professor of History, Humanities, Philosophy and Political Science, is the keynote speaker. Sponsored by The Society of President's Scholars and the Honors Program.

Spirit & Truth Gospel Choir Gospel Extravaganza (7 p.m., First United Methodist Church; $1 for the public, free for Northwest students and employees with a Bearcat Card): The Northwest gospel choir will perform songs, dance and miming acts. A variety of prizes also will be awarded and food will be served after the performance.

Saturday, April 14

Re-Leaf Maryville (8:30 a.m. to noon, meet at west entrance of Student Union): The Northwest community is invited to help plant and mulch trees along 16th Street on the Northwest campus. Additionally, groups will help community members plant trees in Maryville parks.

Softball vs. Fort Hays State (noon and 2:30 p.m., Bearcat Softball Field): Cheer on the Bearcats as they take on conference rival Fort Hays State in a doubleheader. Join the Bearcat Zone Tailgate at the softball field parking lot, which will have inflatable games and other activities throughout the day.

Fifth Annual SSM Hospice Golf Tournament (1 p.m., Mozingo Lake Golf Course; $240 per team): The four-person scramble tournament begins with a shotgun start. Participants receive a gift, golf cart, driving range time, lunch and 18 holes of golf. Prizes will be awarded. All proceeds support SSM Hospice, a nonprofit organization in Maryville that offers assistance to terminally ill patients. For more information contact Rachel Willis at S503701@mail.nwmissouri.edu. Sponsored by Order of Omega.

Spring Football Game (5 p.m., Bearcat Stadium; $5 admission, students admitted free with donation of canned good): Get an early look at the 2012 Bearcat football team during the annual spring scrimmage. Fans also will have opportunities to call plays and kick field goals. The Bearcat Cheerleaders, Bobby Bearcat and a portion of the Bearcat Marching Band will be in attendance.

Intercultural International Center BBQ (1-4 p.m., Ray Courter Pavilion): Students are invited to participate in a variety of team-based activities, including wheel barrow races, dizzy bat races and kickball. Prizes will be awarded. Burgers and hot dogs will be served with chips, cookies and drinks. Sponsored by Building Relationships and Integrating Diverse Growth Experiences (BRIDGE), Alliance of Black Collegians (ABC) and the Minority Men’s Organization (MMO).

Sunday, April 15

Tower Choir/University Chorale concert(3 p.m., Ron Houston Center): Northwest’s vocal ensembles perform their final concert of the year, which will feature songs that include Eric Whitacre’s thrilling “Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine” and Dr. Chris Gibson’s beautiful arrangement of “Black is the Color of My True Love’s Hair” for chorus and clarinet.